Military CRNA School

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hi all,

I just found this forum and I find the information to be very helpful and extensive. I am entering my final year in my RN program and I have a question in regards to joining the military after I receive my RN degree.

I was told my a CRNA that I was observing that when you enter the military with your RN degree, you can enter CRNA school immediately without working 1 yr as an RN in an ICU. He also told me that I would only be required to work for 2 years for the military as a CRNA after I completed my degree.

Prior to talking with this individual, it had never crossed my mind to enter the military, but now I am curious.

Is there anyone out there that can confirm this is true? Any recommendations from anyone who has entered the military with their RN in order to obtain their CRNA degree?

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Hi gotosleep, that link does not work, amybe you can do it again, or tell us how to get to it? Thanks!

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Originally posted by dreamon

Hi gotosleep, that link does not work, amybe you can do it again, or tell us how to get to it? Thanks!

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31137

sorry...i hope this works

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Thanks gotosleep...I got it now!!

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Hello all,

I was just reading thru all the new info.; much of it is incorrect. When I think about it--how could anyone trust my information either. Here is the bottom-line. You CAN go straight into CRNA school if it's in your contract to do so. (It's true that if you just take a commission you may grow old waiting for a spot. When I was in the Army there were at least two people that I personally knew to be fully CRNA material and still hadn't been accepted by the time I left that duty station. Also, if you don't make it--you will be streamlined into the regular nurse corps, contract or not. The commitment is NOT a mere two years. It's two years for every one the military spends on training you. So in this case four to six. The only thing I found to be true in my previous military colleagues posting is that once an officer--always an officer. Enlisted persons are untouchable after serving at least 6 years--no reserve commitment after ETS. Not so for officers. YOU DO HAVE TO HAVE EXPERIENCE AND MEET THE CRITERIA. I wouldn't even want to go into a program without critical experience. That would just be silly! Unless you're some kind of pretender genius. Also, I really think it's a cheap shot to diminish military folk by saying they couldn't get other jobs etc.. That wasn't true for me, and it wasn't true for almost anyone I knew when I was in. I do agree that if you are looking at a financial strategy maybe the military is not the way to go. YOU WILL END UP WORKING VERY HARD FOR THAT EDUCATION/MONEY. But, if you couldn't financially go any other way, it's at least AN OPTION. Most of the Army docs I knew felt they could have put themselves thru school a lot easier than having the Army do it. Then again, most the docs I know regret becoming physicians in the first place. Not so for CRNA's, I have yet to meet an unhappy CRNA. THE MILITARY CRNA PROGRAMS ARE REPUTED TO BE THE BEST. I am sure there are many programs out there that are excellent. Lastly do consider overseas assignments, being in harms way and all that. Of course you will take a tour, that's why we are needed. Now----- I AM sounding like a know it all so I will sign off.

Just thought you'd want to know, (life according to me)

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How about this perk. AUTONOMY. I was trained in the military, will finish my 20 years at the age of 43. I will RETIRE with half my pay. Yes the pay on paper is less, but with the benefits and all of the current incentive bonuses, it get close if not exceeds the pay of many institutions. You cannot beat the armed forces training. Over the years, I have worked with many CRNA's who are poorly trained in the civilian sector. Many CANNOT work without supervision, collaboration or whatever the term is for the day. The military teaches you from day 1 how to work on your own. As for the hazardous duty assignments..yes they can occur, but your going to have them in the OR working under supervision. Try making your own decisions with an MD who thinks differently. Guess what--you just became a tube monkey/technician. We deserve better. Our profession is continuosly under assault (hazardous duty in my opinion). So before you who bad mouth the military think twice. I would rather have a CRNA from the ARMY,NAVY or Air Force put me to sleep than a tube monkey.

Mike

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Hi, I was an army nurse for the past 5 years and just recently got out. I am actually attending CRNA school at Georgetown University. While I was in the army it was HIGHLY recommended that you have one year of Critical Care experience. If fact it was almost impossible to even be considered for CRNA school if you did not have this. Also, the army requires you attend their 4 month critical care program prior to being able to work within a critical care setting. This is only waved if a RN has prior critical care experience before entering the army. If you are selected for CRNA school you will have a MANDATORY 4 year obligation of service upon completion of school. If you are unable to finish school (fail out or decide it's not for you) you STILL have a 4 year commitment to the army. Other military services may have different obligations. I really recommend you sit down with an actual RN military recruiter to find out more information. They will be able to give you all the facts. Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

PS: I personally feel that the more experience you have the more it will help you to succeed in whatever CRNA program you attend. Best Wishes!

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Sorry to continue this dead thread, but I found this on the Military forum and might help answer some questions.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f16/army-reserve-crna-119340.html

I had the opportunity to volunteer (I'm a paramedic and RN to be) as a civilian in the Combat Hospital - Baghdad (EMT section and OR). I can truly say that the people (Docs, Nurses, Medics) were some of the best providers that I have worked with. Most of the anesthesia care was provided by CRNAs and I learned a lot from them. It was a great experience and I would gladly do it again if I had the opportunity.

Best of luck in each of your endeavors.

Regards,

Jack

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Read this link from my other posts on military CRNA: https://allnurses.com/forums/f16/any-navy-crnas-out-there-10631.html

Look you are going to have to decide for yourself. Getting into a military CRNA program isn't any easier then a civilian program. The only difference is that there are less applicates to a military program then civilian. The only reason for that is you have to be commissioned first and serve at a duty station for at least a year to a year and a half before applying. Now if you have prior experience in a ICU setting and then join then maybe you can get it in your contract to go straight to CRNA school. As far as I am aware only the Army is doing that because I know the Navy isn't. The bottom line is the MISSION: and how to meet the needs of the military first before your own. I believe it will be much harder to have never been in the military and then join and go straight to CRNA school. Not only are you learning about CRNA stuff but you are trying to learn how to be an officer also. Like I said in my link to my other posts just be prepared to be deployed and be deployed often. In my soon to be short four years in the Navy I have been deployed four times. With that said I don't regret it, not for a second and for the simple reason, I think it made me a better nurse and a stronger candidate for CRNA school. But like someone said before if you get in a military CRNA program and fail out you don't get out of the military you finish your contract as a regular nurse. So be 100% sure of your decision and consequences. Also you will get to see and do things you will not be able to do in a civilian hospital no matter what anyone tells you. Once again you are just going to have to do the research and decide for yourself and if it something that interests you then try it out. Remember if you don't like it you can always get out after your contract. Any more questions please PM me my door is always open. Also one final note the GI bill is actually more then $800 dollars a month for people who are no longer active duty.

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It actually is possible to go straight to school without serving time as an army nurse first. It is called direct acession (sp?). You go directly to school in San Antonio or one other place for 2 1/2 years then serve 4 1/2 years afterwards. The time you are in school you are an active duty officer. To qualify for this you must have a year of critical care experience as a civilian and do not have to take the army critical care course. If you go in as a nurse first there is not a guaranteed time they will allow you to enter CRNA school. It is all on the army website.

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ok so i am looking into the army CRNA program and presently ready to physical. I have a BSN of course and 14 yrs Critical care, from CVICU to ICU to CCU. so it is possible to get an "direct acession". Please be honest, I am 44 and do not want to make wrong decision, esp about the army. I also have ex-militay 4 yrs active 2 res, does this count? Any help would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Critical Care only.

Oh,my God! You made me laugh so hard!!!!!! :lol2:

:)

oh, but you want to through hand grenades and run around out in the woods like your real tuff.

Buy a paintball gun. and wake up at 0400 and run up a large hill with your wife on your back. there you've done it.

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Hi, I really don't think anyone is going to be able to help you decide whether or not to go Army. It sounds like you have excellent credentials/experience, and are a viable CRNA candidate. I am also older, 46 now and have considered the Army; I have about 8-10 years depending on delayed entry etc.. I do know that all your time will count--I don't know if reserve time is somehow prorated. The only REAL information you can get is from a NURSE recruiter; a good one; someone with obivious knowledge about all this. ONLY count on what you get in writing--no promises. The rest is simply a personal choice; if you are like me and you just have to try things--simply hearing about it won't do---then you are in somewhat of a bad position military wise--you don't get to quit until your ETS date. Military training is the BEST, I don't think this can be argued with; but other programs are VERY good. You will work MANY more hours in the Army than as a civillian and you are salaried (bonuses don't even begin to cover your OT; you will almost certainly be deployed (if that is not what you want don't apply). I have personally ruled the Army out. Having said all that; I found my time in the Army to be some of the best years of my life (pre Desert Storm) I was NEVER in a field situation except for training purposes. I wish I could help, I understand the impulse to reach out.....this is such an investment.....all the best

91CRN

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